The Neville Bonner Bridge, named after Australia’s first Indigenous member of the Parliament, will be Brisbane’s newest bridge in more than 10 years.

Estimates have put the project’s cost at around $100 million, but Destination Brisbane Consortium’s Simon Crooks said that the bridge “fits within the overall development budget” and that the consortium had not released a cost.

While the project still remains subject to approvals and state government endorsement, Crooks said initial works are expected kick off by March next year.

“The bridge will be built from South Bank first across the river to join with the integrated resort development’s retail, food and beverage level,” Crooks said.

The construction contract will take around 24 months to complete and cross over the top of the Riverside Expressway.

Works will start at South Bank between the Wheel of Brisbane and the river’s edge.

Bonner, born on Ukerebagh Island on the Tweed River, New South Wales in 1922, was named Australian of the Year in 1979.

When asked of his greatest achievement in the Senate, his response, “I think the fact that I was there. That an Aboriginal was there,” the Australian of the year honour roll reveals.